Proposed ban on Bisphenol-A

Hartford (WTNH) - A legislative committee has approved a proposal to ban all plastic baby bottles containing a controversial chemical.

Bisphenol-A is used in all kinds of containers. But many now believe that long term exposure to it is harmful although the Food and Drug Administration claims it's safe.

Bisphenol-A is used in everything from cans to pet foot bags to baby bottles. And, research has found traces of it in just about everybody.

Lawmakers and health advocates brought a 20 foot tall inflatable baby bottle to the state capitol complex today to demonstrate their concerns about Bisphenol-A in all containers.

"It's time for us to hit the bottle literally; hit infant formula containers; hit all products that have Bisphenol-A," said Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

They want the chemical banned because some testing has linked the stuff to all kinds of health hazards. Representative Theresa Conroy is a registered nurse.

"When we look back at lead poisoning with children we learned years ago that that was influencing them," said Rep. Theresa Conroy of Seymour. "The same thing when I first learned about BPA; it's not only just about the amount but the time and the exposure."

But the industry notes BPA has been used for 40-years with the FDA's blessing plus in many other countries.

"This is not the industry speaking but other governments whether it's Europe, the Danish government, French government, New Zealand, Austrailia, all have come to the consensus that Bisphenol-A is safe at current levels for both children and adults," said Stephen Rosario of the American Chemistry Council.

Both the chemical industry and the food products industry have either sent lobbyists or hired local ones to fight this proposed ban as unecessary.